The Transforming Power of a Wire Rack and a Few Heavy-Duty IKEA Hooks

We love it when you, our readers, take our tips and put them to use in your own kitchen! We recently heard from Kitchn reader Vanessa who, after being inspired by our brighter, cleaner, and more organized kitchen post, decided to tackle her own kitchen and make it better for the near year, and all for about $120. Here's what she did:

Vanessa tells us about her project:

My boyfriend and I rent our apartment, so it's also challenging to implement some of the changes we want. I do, however, own several pieces of expensive cookware/appliances — Le Creuset, All-Clad pots and pans, a Vitamix, a Zojirushi rice maker — that I have been shoving inside my oven and in a large heap on top of the fridge. (Heartbreaking for such expensive stuff to be stored like I belong on "Hoarders: Buried Alive.")

I purchased a 6-tier wire storage rack from Costco (Canada) for $99, 3 packages of heavy duty hooks from Ikea ($4.99/5 pack) and a set of 3 storage baskets (also from Costco Canada - around $16 for 3). And, instead of installing all six tiers, we opted for four as we needed some room below for our dog's water and food bowls.